In this episode, I interview Bill Cunningham, a longtime Montana wilderness advocate with a deep and rich history from the 1970s to the present. Bill discusses the intricate legislative battles that framed the preservation of Montana's wilderness, including the Montana Wilderness Study Area Act, protecting the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Complex, the Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Bill and his work with influential figures such as Lee Metcalf. We discuss the controversial issues around collaboration in conservation efforts, explaining the nuances of the Gallatin Range controversy as one example, and the need for unwavering advocacy. Moving to his personal adventures, Bill shares stories of expeditions in Alaska’s remote wilderness. Our discussion concludes with a poignant reflection on the spiritual and ecological necessity of preserving public wildlands for future generations.

https://mtconservationelders.org/

02:46 Exploring the Oregon Coast

05:39 Challenges and Opportunities in Wilderness Conservation

09:37 Personal Wilderness Experiences

14:43 The Magruder Corridor Controversy

19:47 The Wilderness Act and Its Legacy

22:16 Wilderness Guiding and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex

24:02 Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Bill

30:46 Challenges in Modern Wilderness Conservation

34:30 Historical Wilderness Legislation and Collaboration

52:12 Montana's Political Landscape and Wilderness Legislation

53:36 The Legacy of Lee Metcalf

55:54 Challenges in Wilderness Advocacy

56:41 The Rise of Motorized Recreation

01:01:20 Compromises in Conservation Efforts

01:02:55 The Role of Conservation Organizations

01:06:00 The Importance of Grassroots Advocacy

01:19:56 Collaboration and Its Pitfalls

01:38:52 The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Campaign

01:47:15 Adventures in Alaska

01:52:16 Reflections on a Life Dedicated to Wilderness

01:54:34 The Importance of Public Lands

02:01:33 Bob Marshall's Legacy

In this episode, I speak with Matt Rinella, an avid hunter and public lands advocate with the group Hunt Quietly. Our conversation is wide-ranging and touches on a variety of subjects including; livestock grazing, hunter access, social media impacts on the hunter experience, the commercialization of the pastime, trophy hunting, hunting organization shortcomings and misgivings, and much more.

Hunt Quietly Podcast with Matt Rinella

https://www.huntquietly.org/

02:51 Livestock Grazing and Wildlife Impact

07:57 Grasslands and Grazing Effects

28:59 Hunter Recruitment and Conservation Challenges

41:56 Political Clout and Hunting Community

42:59 Trophy Hunting and Public Perception

48:59 Social Media's Impact on Hunting

55:22 Challenges in Conservation Efforts

01:13:55 Public Lands and Political Motivations

In this episode, I welcome Wes Siler back to the program to discuss the ongoing legislative challenges surrounding public lands in Washington D.C. We discuss the implications of potential land sell-offs which could total more than 1/2 million acres in Utah and Nevada, the motives behind political actions by figures like Ryan Zinke, and the efficiency of public land management agencies. We highlight and critique key components of the House Natural Resources reconciliation bill text, touching on issues from oil and gas development to timber harvesting, Alaska, and weakening of the National Environmental Policy Act.

https://www.outsideonline.com/byline/wes-siler/

00:16 Public Lands Sell-Off Concerns

00:37 Ryan Zinke and the 'Public Lands in Public Hands Act'

02:05 Economic Impact of Public Lands

04:46 Legislative Processes and Reconciliation

07:37 Environmental and Economic Implications

15:26 Boundary Waters

16:43 Alaska Extraction Issues

19:22 The Challenges of Arctic Oil Drilling

19:41 Impact on Wildlife and Environment

20:18 Renewable Energy and Public Lands

21:09 Timber Harvest and Forest Management

28:56 Legislative Actions and Budget Implications

In this episode, I interview the Pattiz brothers—founders of More Than Just Parks—to cover a range of pressing issues related to public lands. Will and Jim discuss their personal journey from creating films about national parks and public lands to taking an active role in advocating for the protection of public lands from acute threats under the current political climate. Our conversation is wide-ranging and covers a variety of issues across the federal government from corporate wishlists, to leaked strategic plans, budget reconciliation, attacks on our nation monuments, foregoing judicial review of government decisions, dismantling environmental laws, and transferring away our public lands.

https://morethanjustparks.com

https://www.youtube.com/c/morethanjustparks

Jimmy Carter's Crisis of Confidence Speech

00:46 Journey into Filmmaking and Public Lands

01:59 Passion for Public Lands

02:42 Discovering the West

03:20 Founding More Than Just Parks

03:57 Challenges and Shifts in Focus

04:37 Backgrounds and Inspirations

06:26 The Importance of Passion

07:56 Early Influences and Family Trips

08:39 The Magic of National Parks

12:00 Public Lands Under Threat

12:51 The Fight to Protect Public Lands

18:13 The Role of Government and Public Good

20:30 Historical Context and Current Threats

29:03 Flooding the Zone and Legislative Tactics

37:55 Legal Strategies to Protect Public Lands

39:26 The Antiquities Act and Supreme Court Challenges

44:34 Biden Administration's Conservation Record

51:43 Public Lands Legislation and Controversies

58:58 The Importance of Public Lands Funding

01:03:03 Hopeful Initiatives and Future Actions

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Chad Hanson of the John Muir Project to discuss the unique ecological role of giant sequoias and the critical importance of high-intensity fires for their reproduction. Chad outlines the widespread misunderstanding among policymakers and the public about these majestic trees and forests, emphasizing that low-intensity fires do not provide the conditions needed for giant sequoia regeneration. He criticizes the Save Our Sequoias Act, describing it as misleading and sure to cause irreparable harm to these unique forests facilitating industrial logging under the guise of conservation. Our conversation also covers the Park Service's controversial logging and planting activities in wilderness areas post-fires (yes, you read that right), which Chad argues further endangers these ecosystems. Chad calls for informed public activism and legislative changes to protect these vital groves from destructive policies.

https://johnmuirproject.org/

00:05 Exploring Sequoia Groves

02:08 The Misunderstood Giant Sequoias

03:28 Fire Adaptation and Dependency

05:22 Policy and Misconceptions

08:12 The 2020-2021 Fires

09:43 National Park Service's Response

12:27 Regeneration and Misleading Data

16:47 Logging and Its Impact

19:52 Emotional Impact and Ecological Importance

24:40 Logging Operations and Findings

28:29 Destruction of Giant Sequoia Forests

29:23 Legal Battles and Public Awareness

29:47 National Parks and Logging Controversies

30:27 Misguided Notions and Financial Motives

36:05 Trump Administration's Impact on Logging

37:58 Legislative Loopholes and Needed Reforms

42:38 Call to Action and Public Mobilization

51:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, I interview Char Miller, a historian and professor with a focus on public lands, agencies, and land management. Char discusses the complexities of Gifford Pinchot's philosophy, contrasting it with that of John Muir, particularly around the conservation versus preservation debate. He offers insights into the historical development of public lands in the United States, the interconnection between local and federal influences, and the challenges posed by the current political climate under the Trump administration. The episode concludes with a reflective discussion on the significance of public lands for American identity and the need for collective efforts to protect and manage these cherished landscapes.

https://osupress.oregonstate.edu/author/char-miller

00:08 Discovering a Passion for History

01:19 Gifford Pinchot's Influence

02:37 Writing and Researching Pinchot

03:51 Pinchot's Post-Forest Service Career

06:58 Pinchot vs. Muir: A Complex Relationship

10:49 The Conservation vs. Preservation Debate

14:26 Personal Correspondence and Relationship Dynamics

18:19 Modern Implications and Reflections

24:19 Public Lands and Local vs. National Interests

28:59 Environmental Issues in Politics

33:04 Origins of American Public Lands

34:08 Roosevelt's Impact on Public Lands

36:27 Eastern vs. Western Public Lands

37:33 The National Parks System

39:45 The Wilderness Act and Environmentalism

44:45 Current Threats to Public Lands

46:21 Logging and Economic Realities

59:39 The Importance of Local Engagement

In this episode, I interview Wes Siler. Wes delves into the pressing issues surrounding America's public lands, discussing how privatization efforts threaten public access and ownership. Key examples include the Yellowstone Club, the Crazy Mountains land heist, corner crossing, state efforts to wrest control over public lands, and federal public land sales under the guise of "affordable housing." Wes also addresses broader political failures and the adverse effects of defunding federal land management agencies, such as the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. We discuss the necessity of updating multiple use laws and the role of public lands in supporting a healthy democracy and sustainable ecosystems. Our conversation underscores the significance of protecting public lands from corporate and political elites to maintain their ecological and societal value.

00:35 Moving to Montana:

01:27 Comparing Europe and America: Nature and Wildlife

06:36 Public Lands and Privatization Concerns

08:02 The Yellowstone Club and Land Access Issues

10:23 Corner Crossing and Public Access

23:08 Political and Social Commentary

35:13 Public Lands and Equal Access

35:30 Balancing Interests: Profit and Preservation

37:35 Challenges with Current Laws and Corporate Influence

40:59 The Misconception of Affordable Housing on Public Lands

48:27 State vs. Federal Management of Public Lands

53:43 Economic Benefits of Federal Land Management

56:29 Impact of Defunding Federal Land Agencies

01:05:58 Personal Reflections and Concerns

https://wessiler.substack.com/

https://www.outsideonline.com/byline/wes-siler/

https://www.govexec.com/management/2025/04/some-usda-rif-plans-take-shape-department-warns-employees-major-cuts/404247/

https://www.truthdig.com/articles/america-the-failed-state/

https://substack.com/home/post/p-160580019